Native know-how: Compass Carriers enjoying growth, success.

• Author: Cowan, Liz
• Position: ABORIGINAL BUSINESS - Services of Compass Carriers

In one year. Compass Carriers in Timmins has grown from one truck to 10, currently operating seven days a week around the clock.

The Aboriginal business, which is part of the Mattagami Group LP, got its start following a discussion at a restaurant.

"The business kind of' evolved out of a discussion about three years ago, between myself and Chris McKay from Mattagami First Nation (MFN)," said CEO Peter Bazinet. "At that time, we identified an opportunity with Lake Shore Gold, for an ore haulage contract. We agreed we would form a limited partnership, with MFN and BazCorp, and both entities are Aboriginal."

Negotiations began with Lake Shore Gold, which has its Timmins West Complex, 18 kilometres west of the city. Its milling facility is east of Timmins and Compass currently hauls the mine's ore to that site.

"It was a very comprehensive process and took us well over a year. We are a brand-new, fresh Aboriginal business. But the company was instrumental in helping us secure equipment and secure a long-term contract with them." he said.

With 35 years experience in the trucking and transportation industry, Bazinet said it was both an opportunity and a personal challenge to become involved. He has ties to the Timmins community, but was living in southern Ontario doing consulting work.

"It was the interest in working with the Mattagami First Nation, who were very supportive throughout this entire process, and getting involved with them and understanding where they wanted to go and where they wanted to get to," said Bazinet. "At the end of the day, they were looking at me to help bring the community into main stream business through this partnership.

We are doing that and we have done a lot of things in a year.

The company tries to hire Aboriginals, and at any time, it can have two to eight drivers who are Aboriginal.

The goal is to train those from the Mattagami First Nation to also work in administration and operations.

"The intent is to train and employ Aboriginals," he said. "But there are no special provisions given to us. We are a bona fide company that pays taxes, just like everyone else. Sometimes that is a misconception."

That misconception is something the company must deal with from time to time and it can...